Tomate sahraouie, 18 December 2025
EU-Morocco agreement, resolution 2797: the predation of Western Sahara continues
Recent diplomatic agreements merely endorse Morocco’s gradual annexation of Western Sahara. To be more explicit, predatory practices have always existed and are becoming more pronounced, solely for the benefit of the king and his oligarchs, who are imposing an agro-export model that is disastrous for the population and the environment. Large retailers in France and Europe also play a little-known and very damaging role: that of importing tomatoes produced… in the middle of the desert.
Thus, the extension of the EU-Morocco trade agreement in early October led to the development of a compensation mechanism to pass on benefits to the Sahrawi people. However, it has been agreed that Europe will cover the entire cost. That’s the first surprise! The second is that one aspect of the mechanism involves financing projects in irrigation, renewable energy, and seawater desalination in the disputed territory. However, such projects are currently being implemented by Moroccan companies under the direct control of the king (via the royal holding company Al Mada) and his oligarchs, notably the billionaire Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (via the Akwa Group). How spectacular!
Regarding UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025) on Western Sahara at the end of October, Moroccans want to portray it as a victory, even though it also appears to be a form of recognition of Sahrawi resistance. On the one hand, the resolution extends the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until October 31, 2026, which can be interpreted as a guarantee to the Sahrawis that the UN Security Council remains fully committed. Secondly, it explicitly states that the United Nations will “assist the parties in reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.” Finally, the term self-determination is used, as is the importance of humanitarian aid for the populations. In short, Morocco’s unilateral political solution is evaporating. Even if economic predation continues unabated.
Construction of the second phase of the Western Sahara project
43 holes identified in the desert, in addition to the 12 wind turbines already built and identified to the south/southeast of the desalination plant. The second phase of the Western Sahara project will be launched in the summer of 2024 with the earthworks for the wind turbine tower support areas. The wind farm, comprising 58 Chinese-made turbines, is located in the identified area (coordinates: 24.241702, -15.296603; 90 km north/northeast of Dakhla) and is being developed by the Green of Africa (GOA Dakhla) consortium. The project, which is due to come on stream in 2026, has a capacity of 360 MW. Work began in the fall of 2024, while financing was signed in January 2025 by a consortium of Moroccan banks. In June 2025, WSRW (Western Sahara Resource Watch) reported on the arrival of Chinese wind turbines in Laâyoune.
In addition to being yet another example of Morocco’s economic exploitation of Western Sahara, Green of Africa also symbolizes the regime’s plutocracy. Indeed, Green of Africa Dakhla is 70% owned by Green of Africa, a joint venture created by O Capital Group and Akwa Group, and 30% by the French company Vinci. O Capital Group is a holding company involved in a wide range of activities and controlled by Othman Benjelloun, whose fortune rivals that of King Mohammed VI. As for Akwa Group, this highly diversified holding company is owned by Aziz Akhannouch, who is none other than the Moroccan Prime Minister and also a billionaire.
The electricity generated by the wind turbines will power the desalination plant, an essential pillar for the development of export agriculture, particularly tomato factories. This is supported—and greatly benefits—major retailers in France and Europe.
